Do you lease out a commercial or residential building? Well, did you know that you have to adhere to safety requirements, just like business owners? Navigating compliance issues can be tricky – that’s why we’ve put together this guide to electrical safety for landlords in Australia.
At Jim’s Test & Tag, we’re experts in electrical tagging . We help landlords and business operators meet their statutory requirements every day. Contact us now if you have any questions about your requirements – we’d love to help you out.
Maintenance Requirements
Just like any other business owners, landlords want the relationship between home owner and tenant to be a happy one. If you don’t maintain your property, you’re putting the occupants at risk. Your mistakes could cost more than just damages, it could cost somebody’s life.
These are the electrical safety requirements for landlords (according to Energy Safe Victoria).
- prior to re-letting the property, ensure that all appliances are working properly and functioning safely
- make sure electrical appliances are inspected and cleaned to avoid fire and electrical hazards (for example, clearing debris in ventilation and heating/cooling systems)
- ensure that electrical wiring, outlets, switches, and residual current devices are in a safe and working order
- only allow a trained professional to conduct electrical or maintenance work
- keep records of any work or maintenance to prove compliance
According to the Tenancy Check website, the following rules for electrical safety for landlords apply:
- the landlord must ensure that all installations are working (for example, gas/electricity/cooling/heating)
- the landlord must ensure that all installations are maintained and safe to use (this only applies to landlord owned appliances)
For more information about local legislation, visit your local government website or contact the Residential Tenancies Authority.
If you’re renting out domestic or commercial appliances along with your building, ensure that they are safe to use prior to letting out the property. This means hiring a professional that knows how to test and tag electrical equipment.
Professional Electrical Safety Testing
At Jim’s Test & Tag, we are electrical inspection experts. We can take care of electrical safety for landlords so that they can rest assured that their property is in safe hands. We’ve been in the business for over 10 years and we’ve learned that commercial and domestic environments can be dangerous places. If you’re leasing out one or more properties for residential or commercial purposes, contact us today.
We even have a combined service (through Jim’s Fire Safety) to take care of both fire safety and electrical maintenance on leased properties.
- RCD testing
- Smoke alarm testing
- Appliance testing
Ask us to come to your property and make sure everything is in a safe, working order. We conduct all of our tests according to the current Australian safety standards and provide detailed reports for proof of your compliance. If you’re a landlord, property manager, or real estate agent, get in touch now for a free quote.
Electrical Safety Obligations for Tenants
Now that we’ve covered electrical safety for landlords, you might be interested in knowing the responsibilities your tenants have during their stay in your building. According to Energy Safe Victoria, tenants have the following duties:
- using appliances correctly and according to manufacturer instructions
- give reasonable access to the landlord for electrical maintenance
- report electrical faults
- don’t overload power boards or use multiple adaptors
- don’t use damaged appliances
Contact us Today
Interested in our services? Contact us now for a FREE QUOTE. If you found this article helpful, make sure you share it around. We want to make sure every tenant and property owner has access to a safe environment.
